If Plastic Jungle discount gift cards had a voice, what kind of stories do you think they would tell?

Inspired by Marcel the Shell with Shoes On by Jenny Slate and Dean Fleischer-Camp, imagine what it would be like to interview Plastic Jungle gift cards…

How do gift cards end up at Plastic Jungle?

Many of us were first purchased at a specific store as a gift for a birthday, wedding, or special occasion.   Others of us were bought from a gift card display at a grocery store, pharmacy, or discount retailer  – like WalMart or Target.  We were stored away into a gift card holder, gift card card, or small gift card box until we were eventually given away.  While most of us received a smile when we were unwrapped, we never ended up being put to use.  For months, we ended up living inside a warm pocket or a cute purse until one day we were shipped to Plastic Jungle.

What are your dreams?

We want to be used to our full potential.  A few us were partially used and then sent to Plastic Jungle while others of us have been carrying around the same balance for months.  We all just want to help someone make a purchase so that they can be happy.

How does it feel to be called “discount” gift cards?

Frankly, it is an honor.  When we were all sold as regular gift cards, we were neglected and under-utilized.  As a discount gift card we are all more likely to be bought and put to use.  It’s great being a discount gift card because we get to help people make a purchase and we get to help them save money.  It’s like we make them double-happy.

If you could meet anyone who would it be?

Oou!  Hands down, we would all love to meet a coupon.  Coupons are our envy because coupons were created to bring discounts to people.  We bring discounts to people because our original owner could not find a purpose for us.

Do you want to say anything to our readers?

If you have unused gift cards hanging around your home or in your car, please sell them to Plastic Jungle so they can be given a second chance to live out their dream.

The holidays are nearly here! You’ve probably still got some shopping to do before the big days. Before you run out and get caught up in the panic of last minute shopping, take some time to relax, and make sure that you are still getting all the best deals. Check out these five tips to help you stay a savvy shopper during the holidays.

Pick out good sales over shopper scams. Nearly every single store you visit will have some sort of sale. Many of these aren’t actually good deals at all. Plenty of stores are just trying to get you to come in or buy something that still costs too much. Don’t go into a store just because you see something for “free.” Be sure to read up on all the fine print of big sales or free items.

Stick to your shopping list. With all these crazy sales, it can be hard to resist buying something when it has a giant 40% off sticker on it. However, it’s best to only buy items on sale that you were looking for in the first place. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a bunch of stuff that you don’t really need, and you will end up spending much more money than you anticipated.

Keep your cool while shopping. It’s easy to get caught up in all the excitement of the holidays while shopping. Make sure that you enjoy your shopping trips without going crazy with your credit card. Consider taking a friend with you while you shop to make sure that you don’t start impulse buying gifts that you don’t really need to buy.

Check for free shipping when you shop online. You don’t have to go to the mall to find a good deal. There are plenty of great deals online. However, shipping can be very expensive. Before you place an order, look around and see if you can find a store that has free shipping. Sometimes shipping can be well over $20, so taking the extra time to look around for a store with free shipping can save you a lot of money.

Shop after the holidays. There are many great sales right after the holidays. If you’re looking for some specific items that are a little more expensive, try to wait until after the holidays are over. If you want to give one of these items as a gift, make your recipient a cute little IOU card or a gift certificate and buy the item for them the next day. That way, they still get what they want and you can save some money.

About the Author: Kiley Theiring is a film student at Chapman University who also loves to write. She writes about saving money and living frugally for Coupon Mountain and also maintains her own personal blog.